Sheet transfer mechanism for printing presses



A. T. KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Nov. 17, 11936.

7 Sneaks-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1935 I I I A. T. KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING FRESSES Nav. 17, 1936.

Filed Nov. 29, 1953 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 RWN AWN

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QQNWN WQM. u i Qrl 1 mm mum H lMYH A. T. KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Nova 17, 1936.

Filed Nov. 29, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet I5 Zfw/@771507? am? 1' 90 0/2 l NR 3% MNN NNN QNN QNN. 3 j mm Qwu 3 RR w N NWN Nov 17, 1936. A, KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES- Filed Nov. 29, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 xa/wier Tw ne A. T. KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Nam 17, 1936.

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SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Nov. 17, 1936.

Filed NOV. 29, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 EJUIGTZZOP Wgandawffl? A. T. KOPPE 2,061,033

SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRES SES Nov. 17, 1936.

Filed Nov. 29, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 O 000 O 00 O O 0 O O O O O 00 000 O 0 000 O0 Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHEET TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Alexander T. Koppe, New York, N. Y. Application November 29, 1933, Serial No. 700,258 51 Claims. (01. 2'l1-53) This invention relates to paper positioning to various features of construction and arrangemechanism for printing presses and its purpose is ment which will appear more fully hereinafter.

to provide improved means for moving paper The nature of the invention will be understood sheets to the cylinders of a press and accurately from the following specification taken with the positioning them on a cylinder so that the subaccompanyi r w n in which one embodiject-matter to be printed appears in identical ment is illustrated. In the drawings, positions on successive sheets. The principal 010- g. 1 s ows a partial side elevation of an imject of the invention is to provide a new and im- D d Offset printing press embodying the feaproved form of positioning mechanism which retures of the pres invention;

ceives the sheets from the feeding mechanism of Fig. 2 ShOWS an enlarged horizontal section 0 the press and moves these sheets successively to taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts therepredetermined positions on a cylinder of the of broken y; press. A further object of the invention is to F 3 S OWS a vertical Section taken on the provide improved paper positioning mechanism line of 1, illustrating, in end e at n,

comprising amovable vacuum device with respect the Principal features of the present p 15 to which each paper sheet is accurately positioned n and by which it is moved to a position wherein its 4 ShOWS an ed v ical section taken edge engages stops on a rotating cylinder of the On e line of illustrating the ps press. A further object of the invention is to and paper positioning devices in their e evated provide a vacuum feeding device comprising one positions to permit the movement of a p p 20 or more rotatable vacuum drums on which each Sheet by the Vacuum feeding devices to the P p paper sheet is accurately positioned and by which receiving cylinder of the p it is moved accurately against, stops on press Fig. 5 shows a detail vertical section taken on cylinder. Still another object of the invention is the l of Z5 toprovide paper positioning mechanism comprisi 6 S OWS a partial sectional View similar ing a table on which the paper sheet is accurately to that Of illustrating the t e D positioned in combination with an extension shelf tions of the parts when e p p r t ps and or plate extending between the body of said table paper Positioning devices e lowered p im a y and the cylinder against which the paper sheets to the movement of the Sheet y the Vacuum feedare moved in combination with a series of rotary ihg devices; 30 v uum drums adapted to engage the paper sheet. Fig. 7 shows a vertical section taken on the line or other stock on the shelf or plate and to adof 2;

vance the sheet positively toward the cylinder by 3 ShOWS an enlarged detail section taken the action of suction applied progressively on the line of through the moving drums A further object of 9 Shows a Vertical Section through the the invention is to provide improved paper feed- Vacuum feeding devices taken on the line 9-9 ing means by which the sheet of paper or other of e- 2; stock is positively gripped at successive points b Fig. 10 shows a detail vertical section taken on a suction feeding device and thereby positively the line llllll of 9;

moved against, the Stops on the rotating cylinder, Fig. 1 1 shows an enlarged vertical section taken 40 thus overcoming the disadvantages of prior deon t lme l|l| of 9; Vices in which the movement of the paper Sheet Fig. 12 shows an enlarged vertical section taken has been efiected merely by frictional contact on the e of Fig.

with a feeding device. A further object of t Fig. 13 1s a partial horizontal section on the line invention is to provide a paper supporting plate 0f 3, p b en away, showing from which the paper sheet is picked up and the means for positioning the paper sheet latvanced by rotary feeding devices in combination emuyd g table 15 P t up and with means for adjusting the supporting plate to g i e g z g g t accommodate varying thicknesses of paper. A 15 a p Sp 1 e 1 w 0 8 ac ua mg lever and associated parts embodied in the mech- 50 further obJect of the invention 1s to provide imanism illustrated in Fig and Proved means for adjusting Successive Sheets of Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken on the line paper or other stock upon a table preliminary to of Fig 3 the movement of the shee s by feeding devices to The invention is illustrated in the drawings as the cylinders of the press. Other objects relate being embodied in a printing press adapted for 55 offset printing and this machine comprises a pair of side frames 20 which are secured to the base or other foundation upon which the printing press rests and which have rearward extensions 2|! adapted to carry certain parts of the operating mechanism. The apparatus carried by these side frames is adapted to receive the sheets of paper or other stock, upon which the printed impressions are to be placed by the operation of the press, over an inclined conveyor 2| which is adapted to receive the paper sheets 22 from a suitable paper feeding device such as that described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 706,188, filed January 11, 1934. The conveyor 2| comprises an inclined feed board 23 having endless tapes 24 moving over the surface thereof and around pulleys 25 which are carried by brackets 26. These endless tapes move in the direction of the arrow 21 for carrying the paper sheets downwardly and moving them over the paper positioning table 30 which extends between the side frames of the press and which has a rearward extension or plate 30" extending to and connected with the lower end of the feed board 23. The table 30 also has a forward extension 30 forming a sheet support which extends beneath a series of vacuum feeding drums 3| arranged in a row transversely of the press and adapted to rotate in the direction of the arrow 32. The plate- 30 is provided with notches 30 in the edge thereof adjacent the drum 3| and these notches are adapted to receive stop members 33 which are adapted to engage the forward edge of the paper sheet 22 when it has been moved to a position over the table 30. The stop members 33 are carried by arms 33 which are adapted to have pivotal movement for elevating the stop members 33 to permit the paper sheet to be advanced by the rotation of the drums 3| which have periodic or intermittent rotary movements, each movement being adapted to advance a paper sheet until it is engaged by the gripping means on the papercarrying cylinder 34 of the press.

The stop members 33 in their elevated positions are as illustrated in Fig. 4, thus permitting the movement of the paper sheet beneath the drums 3i until the sheet engages the stops 35 which are carried by the cylinder. The cylinder rotates in the direction of the arrow 36 and the speed of movement of the paper sheet is preferably slightly greater than the peripheral speed of the cylinder so that the edge of each sheet is positively engaged by the stops 35. The paper sheet is guided in this movement against the stops by means of guide fingers 31 which have upturned extremities 31 located in proximityto the edge of the table extension 30. When the forward edge of the paper sheet 22 has been moved against the stops 35, as shown in Fig. 12, this edge of the sheet is engaged and held by a series of grippers 33 which are pivotally mounted on the cylinder 34 and which are adapted to be automatically actuated to engage the paper sheet at the proper time. The paper sheet is then moved beneath the guide fingers 31 and is carried around the cylinder 34 which may be provided with a draw sheet to underlie the paper sheet on the cylinder when perforating wheels are to be used. When positioned on the paper-carrying cylinder 34, the paper sheet 22 is adapted to receive an impression from the transverse cylinder 40 which rotates in the direction of the arrow 4| and which is provided with a rubber blanket 42 adapted to receive its impression from an offset press plate 44, of zinc or the like, which is mounted on the plate cylinder 45. The press plate 44 is adapted to be inked by a series of ink rollers 45 which are mounted to revolve in bearings 41 carried by an ink receptacle 43 pivotally mounted on the upper ends ofthe side frames 20.

When a draw sheet is to be used with the usual perforating wheels, it is clamped at one edge between a bar 41 and a plate 43 in the recess 34'- of the paper carrying cylinder and the other edge of this draw sheet is clamped between the shoulder at one edge of another cylinder recess 34'"- and the stop members 35 against which the paper clamped on a shaft 52 journaled in the ends of the cylinder 34 and having one of its ends projecting beyond the cylinder, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. This projecting end of the shaft 52 has secured thereon a crank arm 53 carrying a roller 54 which is adapted to coact with stationary cams 55 carried by and projecting inwardly from. one of the side frames 20. The shaft 52 also carries a crank arm 56 having a pivotal connection with a rod 51 which slidably engages a lug 53 projecting from the end of'the cylinder. A coil spring 59 is mounted on the rod 51 between the lug 53 and a collar 60 which is secured on the rod so that the spring 53 tends to maintain the roller 54 in a position where it will engage the cams 55 during the rotation of the cylinder 34 and thus cause the shaft 52 to be moved angularly by the crank arm 53 for the purpose of elevating the gripping fingers 33 to receive the paper sheet. When the sheet has been positioned against the stops 33, the fingers 38 are returned to their gripping positions by the action of the coil spring 59 and the paper sheet is then securely held during the continued rotation of the cylinder until it is again released by engagement of the roller 54 with the lower cam 55. During this rotation of the cylinder 34, the paper sheet 22 receives an inked impression from the transfer cylinder 40 and the lower cam-55 then causes the forward edge of this sheet to be released in the lower part of its path of travel, at which time it is taken off by the delivery cylinder 60 which is mounted to revolve beneath the paper carrying cylinder. The delivery cylinder 60 is provided with a recess adapted to receive successive gripping units carried by an endless conveyor chain 64, each unit including a bar 5| adapted to be engaged by the edge of the sheet 22 and a series of gripping fingers 52 which are carried by a shaft 63 carried by the chain. Each shaft 63 is provided on one of its projecting ends with mechanism whereby the gripping fingers 62 are automatically actuated at a predetermined time during their travel around the cylinder 63. Each sheet 22 is thus gripped and carried away from the cylinder 60 by the endless conveyor chain 54 which transfers the paper sheet to suitable stacking mechanism, not forming a part of the present invention, by which the printed sheets are arranged accurately in a pile.

The cylinders 34, 40, 45 and 60 are driven by mechanism which is located adjacent one of the side frames 20, as shown in Fig. 1. This mechanism comprises a shaft 65 which is iournaled in bearings in the side frames and which is provided with a pulley 66 adapted to be driven through a belt 61 by an electric motor or the like. The shaft 65 is provided at one end with a sprocket gear 68 meshing with an endless sprocket chain 69 which extends upwardly and around a sprocket gear I8 secured upon a shaft II which also has bearings in the side frame members 28. The shaft II has fixed thereon a pinion I2 which meshes with a large gear I3 secured upon a shaft I4 having journals in the lower parts of the side frames. This shaft I4 has a bevel pinion I5 fixed on one end thereof to mesh with another bevel gear I6 which is fixed upon the lower end of a vertical shaft 11 having bearings in the brackets I8 which are secured to the adjacent side frame 28. At its upper end, this shaft 11 has a bevel pinion I9 fixed thereon to mesh with a bevel gear 88 which is secured upon the shaft 8| of the plate cylinder 45. The shaft 8|, like the shafts of the other cylinders, is journaled in bearings carried by the side frames 28 and through the connection just described it is driven to revolve in contact. with the transfer cylinder 48' and the inking rolls 46. On the inner side of one of the side frames 28, the shaft 8| of the plate cylinder has a gear 83 secured thereon to mesh with a similar gear 84 which is secured upon theshaft 65 of the transfer cylinder 48. This gear 84 also meshes with a gear 86 which is secured upon the shaft 81 of the paper carrying cylinder 34 so that the paper-carrying cylinder is driven from the transfer cylinder. The delivery cylinder 68 is fixed upon a shaft 98 which projects through bearings in the side frames 28 with one end thereof carrying a relatively fixed bevel gear 9| which is arranged to mesh with a driving pinion 92 secured upon the previously described vertical shaft 11. In this way, all of the cylinders are positively driven in timed relation to each other.

Referring now, in greater detail, to the mechanism by which the sheets are transferred from the conveyor 2| to the cylinder 34, it will be seen from an examination of Figs. 4, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 that the suction feeding drums 3|, heretofore mentioned, are in the form of radial disks 3| having transversely extending annular flanges 3| at their outer edges. These disks have hubs 3| which are secured by keys 94 upon a hollow shaft 95 which extends transversely of the machine, above the paper supporting plate 38 with the end portions thereof journaled in bearings which are formed in the side frames 28, as shown particularly in Fig. 9. The shaft 95 also has mounted thereon a series of suction blocks 91 each of which is associated with one of the drums 3|. Each block 91 comprises an arm 9'I which extends vertically downward from the shaft 95 with a passage 9'I formed therein to communicate with the internal passage 95 of the hollow shaft 95 through one of the ports 95 which are formed in the shaft. The flange 3| of each vacuum drum 3| is provided throughout a portion of its circumference with a series of spaced suction openings 3| which are adapted to register successively with the suction passage 9I as the drum is revolved about the associated block 91. The ports 81 which are formed in the hollow shaft 95 are extended through a substantial arc, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, corresponding to the are through which the openings 3| are distributed around the periphery of the drum so that as the drum revolves, a communication is established between the interior of the hollow shaft and each of the passages 91 throughout the time that the openings III are passing beneath the lower end of thesuction block. The shaft 95 also carries a series of sleeves 98 which are mounted between adjacent members 3| and 91 on the shaft in order to space them apart. In addition "to the downwardly extending arms 91, each suction block comprises a horizontally extending arm 91 terminating in a hub portion 91 which is engaged by a shaft 99 extending transversely of the press and having its ends journaled in brackets I88 carried by the side frames 28, thus holding the suction blocks 91 against rotation while the drums 3| revolve about them. One end of the shaft 95 is closed by a, plug |8| and the other end is connected to a source of suction, as hereinafter described, so that a partial vacuum is maintained within the hollow shaft 95 and as the shaft is rotated by the mechanism hereinafter referred to, the suction acting through the passages 91 and the openings 3| operates to 'pick up the paper sheet 22 from the supporting plate 38 and move it in the direction of the cylinder 34 as the drums rotate. The distribution of the openings 3| about aportion of the periphery of each drum 3| is such that while the last opening is passing beneath a passage 91 as the drums rotate in the direction of the arrow I82, in Figs. 11 and 12, the forward edge of the sheet will have engaged the stops 35 carried by the cylinder 34, and the paper sheet is then gripped by the fingers 38, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 12, just before the sheet is released by the suction applied through the last openings in the drums 3|.

The mechanism for rotating the shaft 95 is adapted to produce a complete rotation of the shaft during the movement of each paper sheet 22 over the table 38 and at the end of each rotation, the shaft and the drums 3| come to a complete stop and remain stationary until the next paper sheet is moved into engagement with the stop members 33. In order to insure the stopping of the shaft 95 and the connected drums 3| at the end of each revolution, without any overrunning due to momentum, the shaft 95 is provided with a brake comprising a brake drum I84 secured upon one end of the shaft by means of a key I85, as shown in Fig. 9, and engaged by a brake strap comprising complementary members I86, each partially surrounding and engaging the annular groove of the brake drum, as shown in Fig. 7. These complementary brake strap members I86 are each provided with bifurcated extremities I86 which are adapted to rock upon a supporting rod or pin IIl'I projecting outwardly from the adjacent side frame 28 and they are secured together in engagement with the brake drum by means of a stud I08 passing through apertures in the upper member and threadedly engaging holes in the lower member. This stud has a coil spring I89 mounted on the projecting portion thereof. The head I of the stud is provided with a groove for engagement by a screw driver and a washer I I8 seated against the head is engaged by one end of the spring I89. By the adjustment of this stud, the compression of the spring I89 may be regulated to vary the pressure with which the strap members I86 engage the brake drum.

The drums 3| are spaced apart longitudinally of the shaft 95 and are adapted to engage spaced portions of paper sheets of any desired width. When the press is being used for printing paper sheets which are comparatively narrow, it will be unnecessary to employ all of the vacuum drums 3| and means are therefore provided for rendering one or more of these drums inoperative at the will of the operator. For this purpose, the portions 91 of the two outer suction blocks are provided with bores 31 which are rotatably engaged by valve members 2, as shown particularly in Figs. 9 and 12. Each valve member is retained in its bore by a transverse pin H3 and it is provided at the other end with an enlarged head Il2 provided with a groove I I2 adapted for engagement by a screw driver or the like for the purpose of rotating the valve member to cause the angular passage II formed therethrough to establish a connection between the complementary parts of the associated passages 31" or to close that communication, as desired. The head I I2 of each valve member is provided with rightangularly disposed recesses I I2, either of which a may be engaged by a ball II4 mounted in a recess 51 formed in the suction block, which recess also contains a coil spring II5 by which the ball is pressed into engagement with the recess in the valve member. In order to prevent the close contact of the paper sheet with the supporting plate 30* from creating a suction effect which might interfere with the ready picking up of the paper sheet by the vacuum drums, the plate 33" is preferably perforated at points below each of the suction passages 91', or throughout its area, by providing small openings 33 each of which preferably diverges downwardly in order to prevent the clogging of these openings by dust or the like. The atmospheric pressure is thus permitted to act freely on each side of the paper sheet beneath the suction drums so that the sheet is readily picked up by the vacuum pressure established through the passages 81 and the openings 3I The supporting plate 30 is preferably spaced from the lower portions'of the drums 3I a distance somewhat greater than the thickness of any paper sheet which may pass through the press and, while a fixed spaced arrangement of the drums 3i and the supporting plate 33" will permit the eilicient handling of paper sheets having a considerable variation in thickness, it may be desirable, in some instances, to vary the spaced relation of the plate 30' and the drums 3I according to the thickness of the paper sheets being used in the press and for this purpose the supporting plate 30 is provided on its under side, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, l1 and 12, with a series of aligning blocks II1 each of which is adapted to be engaged by an eccentric portion III of a shaft I I8 which is journaled in bearing brackets II9 secured by studs I23 to the under side of the body portion of the table 33 which, in turn, is secured to the side frames 23. The shaft H3 is provided with a depending crank arm I2I having a pivotal connection with an adjusting rod I22 which slidably engages the hub I23 of a bracket I23 attached to the adjacent side frame. The adjusting rod I22 may be reciprocated to turn the shaft I I3 through the medium of the crank arm I 2|, thereby raising or lowering the supporting plate 30' and adjusting the spaced relation of this plate and the lower portions of the drums 3|. The adjusting rod I22 may be secured in adjusted position by a thumb screw I24 engaging the bracket I23 and the projecting portion of the rod I22 may be provided with graduations I25 for indicating the spaced relation of the plate .Il

. and the drums 3 I, the face of the bracket I23 servconsisting of a complete revolution, this shaft is provided at one end with a gear I33 which meshes with a gear I3I mounted to revolve on a short shaft I32 which has one end fixed in one side frame 23 and the other end secured in a bracket I33 which is secured to the side frame, as shown in Fig. 9. The gear I3I is'provided with a relatively fixed ratchet disk I34 provided with a pair of diametrically opposed notches I34 adapted to be engaged by a pawl I35. This pawl is pivoted on a pin I33 carried by an actuating member I31 which is in the form of a hub mounted on the shaft I32 with an outwardly projecting arm I31 in which the pin I35 is fixed. The pawl I35 is provided with a tail portion I35 and a coil spring I33, seated in a recess in the arm I31, bears against this tail portion to force the pawl I35 against the periphery 'of the ratchet member I34.

The actuating member I31 is adapted to have an intermittent rotary motion, during each period of which the pawl I35 moves through an angle of degrees, so that, upon each forward movement of the actuating member and the pawl, the ratchet member I34 is rotated a half revolution of the gear I3I. The gear ratio between the gear I3I and the gear I30 is such that upon each half revolution of the gear I3I, the gear I30 is rotated a complete revolution, at the end of which the shaft 55 and the vacuum drums I3I are arrested and remain stationary while the actuating member I31 reverses its movement to bring the pawl L35 into engagement with the next notch of the ratchet member I34.

The reciprocatory angular motion of the actuating member I31 is effected through a gear I 40 keyed upon a hub of the actuating member and meshing with a gear I fixed upon a shaft I42 which is journaled in the side frame and in the bracket I33, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The gear I is driven by a pinion I43 which is fixed upon another shaft I44 having bearings in the bracket I33 and in the adjacent side frame. The pinion I43 is driven by a gear sector I45 carried at the end of an actuating lever I 43 which is pivotally mounted at I41 upon a bracket I43. The lever I43 has 8. depending arm I46 provided with a roller I43 adapted to travel in the groove I53 of a cam I53 which rotates continuously and, through the roller I43, imparts a reciprocatory motion to the lever I45, thus giving corresponding reciprocatory angular movements to each of the gears in the chain of gearing leading up to the actuating member I31. There is thus imparted to the vacuum drums 3I an intermittent rotary motion whereby these drums rotate continuously in the same direction and come to a stop at the end of each revolution with the forward aperture of the series of apertures 3I in each drum located beneath one of the suction passages 31", as shown in Fig. 11, in readiness to pick up a paper sheet positioned against the removable stops 33.

The cam I53 is rotatably mounted upon the hub I5I' of a positioning member I5I which is in turn fixed upon a shaft I52 extending transversely of the press and having bearings in the side frames 23, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The shaft I52 has a large gear I 53 secured thereon to mesh with a driving pinion I54 which is fixed upon the previously described shaft 1I so that the shaft I52 is rotated continuously during the operation of the driving motor. In order to adjust the angular position of the cam slot I50 in the cam I53 to cause the initial opening 3I in the periphery of each vacuum drum 3I to be HI with the elbow I69'and the vacuum tube I66 is intermittently closed. The cam I16 is so posi' tioned on the shaft I11 that the suction connection is closed by the valve plug I12 during those positioned beneath one of the suction passages 91", when the drums 3I come to rest at the end of each revolution thereof, the connection between the cam I50 and the adjusting member I5I is such as to permit angular adjustment of portionsof the revolutions of the vacuum drums 5 the cam. For this purpose, the adjusting mem- 3I in which the unperforated portions of the her has a disk extending adjacent the face of drums pass beneath the suction passages 91 in the cam and provided with a series of elongated the blocks 91.

slots I5I which are adapted to be engaged by The stop members 33 which engage the forstuds I55 which pass through the washers I56 ward edge of each paper sheet 22 on the supand into threaded apertures I50 formed in the porting plate 30 as shown in Fig. 11, prelimicam. The cam may thus be adjusted angularly nary to the picking up of the paper sheet by the on the member I5I and then the studs I55 may vacuum drums 3|, are carried by the arms 33 be tightened to secure the cam in adjusted posiwhich are positioned between the drums, as shown tion. For the purpose of securing fine adjustin Figs. 2 and 6, and which are provided with ments of the cam, the adjusting member I5I is split hubs 33 adapted to be clamped on the prepreferably provided with a pair of spaced proviously described shaft 99 by means of clamping jecting ears I5I which are threadedly engaged bolts or studs I85. With this arrangement, the

by adjusting screws I58 adapted to contact with rocking of the shaft 99 in its bearings will eleopposite sides of a. lug I59 carried by the face of vate the stop members 33 from the paper-engagthe cam. A graduated plate I60 is secured to the ing positions shown in Figs. 6 and 11 to the eleadjusting member I5I and the lug I59 carries an vated position shown in Fig. 4, thus permitting index mark adapted to show with respect to these the pap sh t t pa s r the supporting p at graduations, the degree of angular adjustment ti it engages the steps 35 0the cylinder of the cam around the adjusting member. In this s shown in Fi This rocking movement way, th ca I50 ay be accurately ositioned is effected by means of a crank arm I86, shown in order to cause the actuation of the vacuum in g. h ch is fixed 0n the end of the shaft drums 3| t0 begin at the proper intervals in the 99 and which carries .a'roller I81 arranged to operation of the press and to cause the initial heel up the P p l S e f a cam 80 aperture of eaph series of apertures 3| to be fixed p the en of a shaft 9 wh h is J'0urproperly located when the vacuum drums come naled in the brackets I00. A coil spring I90 is t t, connected to a pin I9I projecting from the end Th h ll h ft, 95 i connected t th d of the lever I86 and also to a stationary pin I92 thereof adjacent the gear I30 with an elbow I65 fix d 0n h a n br k t 00, hu maintainwhich communicates with a vacuum tube I66. ing o er I81 i ment with the cam. The elbow I65 is provided with a leather washer This Cam has a substantialportion of its p p |51 which bears ai t t periphery of t haft eral surface arranged concentrically with the axis as and the chamber within this washer contains 0f the s a t I89 and p d e distance from an annular collar I68 of leather or other pack- Said axis 50 that when this P n f the 0am ing material which bears against the adjacent is in Contact With th ro e 8'|.'as shown in iace of the elbow so that .a substantially fiuidthe crank arm is depressed, by tight connection is thus established between the causing the m 33 to be elevated, as shown in stationary elbow and the rotating shaft 95 The t p m t th m v nt of the paper sheet vacuum t 35 extends downwardly adja ent over the table under the influence of the vacuum the vertical shaft 11, as shown in Fig. 1, and the drums At the e113 Of t s tage o the opera- 4! lower end thereof communicates with an elbow tioh, and after the e e of the sheet has I69 which is secured in a valve block no carried passed n o t cy 34 from e upp r in by the lower part of the side frame. This valve plate the stops 33 are q y p essed intO block has a transverse passage I10 communicatthe notches 0f the pp ting plate as the ing t t elbow 3g and also with a vacuum roller I81 passes into engagement with the sharppipe |1| which leads to the suction pump adapted 1y inclined portion of the cam I88, the stops 33 t b continuously driven by an electric motor or remain in the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 11, th l k during t operation of the press The while another sheet of paper travels over the valve block no is provided with an upwardly table 30 and engages those stops, whereupon the extending bore I10 which intersects the bore Sharply inclined Portion of e Cam I83 at the 5d [109. and which has slidably mounted therein a other side of the axis of the cam causes the arms valve plug 12 At the upper end of this valve 33 to be quickly elevated until they reach the plug there is mounted a bracket 3 and a coil position where they are retained in their elespring I14 is interposed between this bracket and vated positions While the r ller I81 is in engagethe upper face of the block I10 so that the spring ment with the Portion of the cam which is acts normally to elevate the plug and per a centric with the cam axis. In this way, the confree communication between the and tinuously rotating shaft is actuated as the elbow 59 The bracket "3 carries a roller hereinafter described, causes a periodic elevation 5 arranged to bear upon the urf f a cam of the stops 33 in the proper timed relation to the I16 which is secured on a shaft I11 rotatably rotation of the Vacuum drums 3| d the posl- 5 mounted in a bracket "3 carried by the valve tioning of the stops 35 on the cylinder 34 in the block I10. A sprocket gear I19 is secured on the proper location to receive the P p eetshaft na adjacent to the cam I16 and this As each paper sheet moves Over the pporting sprocket gear meshes with a sprocket chain I plate 30b, it is guided into ent with the passes around a, sprocket gear fixed Stops On the cylinder the guide fingers 31, upon the previously described shaft I52 so that Previously referred These gui e fingers are during the operation of the press, the cam I16 carried by brackets I which have p j t is continuously driven and effects an intermittent ears I95 engaged by screws I96 which may be adjusted to clamp these brackets upon a tubular downward movement of the valve plug I12 with shaft or sleeve I91 which is mounted to rock 75 the result that the connection of the suction pipe about a shaft or axle I98 having its ends secured in the hangers I99, the ends of the shaft I98 being threaded for engagement by nuts 200, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The hangers I99 are provided with split hubs I99 which are secured together and clamped upon a sleeve or hollow shaft 202 which is mounted upon a shaft or axle 203 extending between and secured in the side frames 20. Each bracket I has a horizontally projecting arm I95 provided with an aperture which is engaged by a rod 205. These rods 205 are suspended from members 206 which are mounted upon the rod or shaft 201 extending between the side frames. Each rod 205 carries a fixed collar 208 and a coil spring 209 which is positioned on the rod between the collar and the coacting arm I95 as illustrated in Fig. 7, so that when the brackets I 95 are rocked about the shaft I98, the springs 209 are compressed by the upward movement of the arms I95. For the purpose of elevating the guide fingers 31. the hollow sleeve or shaft I91 has fixed thereon a crank arm 2I0, shown in Fig. 6, which carries at its upper and outer end a roller 2| I adapted to coact with the peripheral surface of a cam 2I2 fixed upon a shaft 2I3 which has bearings in the brackets I00. The cam H2 is so formed that after the forward edge of the paper sheet has been gripped by the gripping fingers 38 on the cylinder 34, the lever 2I0 is actuated by the cam to rock the hollow shaft or sleeve I91, thereby elevating the stop fingers 31 to the position shown in Fig. 6 and compressing the springs 209. This elevation of the stop fingers 31 is maintained while the roller 2 contacts with that portion of the cam 2I2 which is concentric with the axis of the shaft 2I3 and then the fingers 31 are again moved to the position shown in Fig. 7 as the roller 2 rides inwardly on the sharply inclined portion of the cam under the influence of the springs 209.

The shaft 2I3 is provided at one end with a relatively fixed gear 2I5 which meshes with an idler gear 2? mounted to revolve about a stub shaft 2I1 fixed in the adjacent bracket I00, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6. The gear 2I1 meshes with a gear 2I8 fixed upon the previously described shaft I89 which carries the cam I88 for actuating the stops 33. The gear 2I8 is driven through an idler gear 2I9 which is mounted to rotate on a stub shaft 220 carried by the adjacent bracket I00. gear 22I fixed upon a shaft 222 which extends transversely of the machine with its ends journaled in the brackets I00. The gear 22I is driven by a gear 223 mounted upon a stub shaft 224 carried by one of the side frames, as shown in Fig. 4. The gear 224 is in turn driven by a gear 225 fixed upon a horizontal shaft 226 which has one end journaled in one of the side frames 20 and the other end journaled in a frame member 230 which is supported by rods 23I and 232 ex tending between the side frames, as shown in Fig. 3. The rod 232 is also supported adjacent the frame member 23! by a member 233 which is supported upon a transverse frame member 234 secured to the side frames. This shaft 226 also has fixed thereon a sprocket gear-221, shown particularly in Fig. 3, which is driven by a sprocket chain 228. This sprocket chain passes around a sprocket gear 229 on the shaft I52 which has previously been described as the shaft upon which the cam I50 is located. As heretofore explained, the shaft I52 is driven continuously when the driving motor of the press is in operation and it The gear H9 is driven by a' will be apparent that, through the connections which have just been described, all of the shafts 2I3, I89, 222 and 226 are also continuously driven for actuating the various parts of the mecha nism which are connected thereto.

In addition to the mechanism heretofore described for transferring the paper sheets from the conveyor 2| and positioning them accurately against the stops 35 on the paper carrying cylinder 34, the present invention involves means for, positioning the paper sheets laterally on the table 30 so that the printed matter or the like subsequently placed upon the sheets will be located at the same distance from the edge of each sheet. This involves the movement of the sheets 22 laterally on the table 30 while they are positioned against the stops 33, as shown in Fig. 6, and in order that the sheets may be moved laterally by pressure applied to the edges thereof, means are provided for buckling each sheet downwardly before the lateral pressure is applied, thus giving the sheet greater stiffness to resist the lateral pressure. As shown particularly in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, the shaft 222 has pivotally mounted thereon adjacent each side of the machine a lever 235 each of which is provided with a downwardly inclined arm 235. The extremities of these arms are secured to the ends of a rod or shaft 236 upon which is mounted a sleeve or roller 231. When the levers 235 are rocked downwardly about the shaft 222, the roller 231 is adapted to engage the upper surface of the paper sheet 22 and press it downwardly into the groove 30 of curved cross section, which is formed in the upper face of the body portion of the table 30, extending throughout the width of the table. There is thus formed a rib or buckle in the paper sheet which gives it sufficient resistance to permit it to be pushed over the table transversely of the press. It is desirable that the roller 231 produce the required deflection in the paper sheet without exerting too much pressure thereon and in order that the position of the roller, when it is depressed as shown in Fig. 6, may be adjusted to-accommodate various thicknesses of paper, means are provided for adjust ing the levers 235 with respect to the devices by which they are actuated. For this purpose, a lever 240 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 222 adjacent each of the levers 235 and is connected thereto so that when the lever 240 is rocked about the shaft, the adjacent lever 235 is also given a corresponding movement. Each lever 240 has an upwardly inclined arm 240 carrying at its end a roller 24I which is adapted to coact with the periphery of one of the cams 242 which are secured upon the previously described shaft I89 by which the movement of the stop members 33 is controlled. Each lever arm 240 is connected by a coil spring 243 with a stationary pin 244 pcsitioned on the adjacent bracket I 00 so that these springs normally rock the levers 235 and 240 upwardly about the shaft 222 and maintain the rollers 24I in engagement with the cams 242. The two levers 235 and 240 at each end of the shaft 222 are connected by a stud 245 engaging a slot 235 in the lever 235 and a threaded aperture in the lever 240, and the two levers are also connected by a stud 246 which threadedly engages the lever 240 and which has mounted thereon an adjustable cam 241 seated in a U-shaped slot 235 which is formed in the end of the lever 235. Upon loosening the studs 245 and 246, the cams 241 may be rotated for adjusting the relative angular positions of the connected levers 235 and er 231 is depressed by the action of the cams 242 may be varied as desired.

for positioning a paper sheet laterally on the table 36 after a portion of the sheet has been depressed into the groove 36 in the tagroove 36 formed in and extending transversely of the table36, as shown particularly in Figs. 13 and 15. The length of the bar 256 is somewhat less than the width of the table to permit some adjustment of the bar laterally of the table and the bar carries a vertically extending positioning plate 25! which lies parallel to the direction of travel of the paper sheets and which is adapted to engage a lateral edge of the sheet so that when the bar 256 is momentarily moved transversely of the press, while the sheet is positioned against the stops 33, the longitudinal edge of the sheet engaged by the plate 25! is moved to a predetermined position which is assumed in turn by the longitudinal edge of every other sheet as the sheets pass through the press. The plate 25! is carried by a block 252 which is provided with an elongated slot 252 adapted to be engaged by a stud 253 adapted to extend downwardly into any selected one of a series of threaded apertures 256 which are formed in the positioning bar 256 for some distance inwardly from each end thereof.

The block 252 may thus be located in any position within a considerable range for accommoe dating paper sheets of various widths. In order to obtain a finer adjustment of the position of the plate 25!, this plate is connected with the block 252 by means of a pin 254 and a threaded stud 255 each of which engage horizontal apertures formed through the upper part of the block, as shown in Figs. 13 and 15, and the stud 255 is engaged by a nut 256 located in a recess 252, formed in the block, so that this nut may be rotated by the engagement of the fingers of the operator with the external knurled surface thereof for the purpose of adjusting the plate 25! iongitudinally of the positioning bar 256. of the positioning bar 256 is provided with a stop member 251 in the form of a bolt which threadedly engages a hole 256 formed in the positioning bar. These b6lts are secured in adjusted position by set screws 258 and their heads form stops which are adapted to engage the side frames 26 at the end of the groove 36 for the purpose of limiting the movement of the bar 256 by the actuating mechanism hereinafter described. The positioning of the paper sheet on the table 36 is effected by moving the bar 256 to a predetermined extent in its groove 36, thereby pushing the paper sheet transversely of the table to a predetermined point, after which the bar 256 and the positioning plate 25! are returned to their initial positions. The positioning bar 256 is provided with holes 256 adjacent both ends thereof so that the positioning plate 25! may be located on the bar adjacent either longitudinal edge of the sheet, which is desirable in order that after all of the sheets of through the press and printed matter placed on one side of each sheet, while positioning the sheets by the engagement therewith of the plate 25!, the sheets may then be reversed and passed through the press again for placing printed matter on the other sides thereof, whereupon the plate is formed at the end of the arm 266.

, swung to the a series have been passed 25! may be located t the other end of the bar 256 so that it will again engage the same edges of the sheet as were previously engaged by it duringthe preceding printing operation.

The mechanism for moving the positioning bar 256' is shown particularly in Figs. 3, 4, 13, 14 and 15, and it comprises an operating member 266 slidably mounted upon the rotating shaft 226 heretofore described and having a forwardly extending arm 266 which is connected to the under side of the bar 256. This connection is established by a pin 26! secured in a plate 262 which is secured to the bar 256 by rivets 263. The plate 262 is located in an elongated slot 36* formed in the bottom of the table 36 and the pin 26! extends downwardlyto engage a hub 266 which In addition to being supported upon the rotating shaft 226, the operating member 266 is provided with a downwardly and rearwardly inclined arm 266 which: is provided at its end with a hub 266 slidably mounted upon the rod 232 which extends between the side frames 26.

The movement of the operating member 266 transversely of the press is effected by a pair of similar cams 265 which are secured on the shaft 226 on opposite sides of the member 66 with their U-shaped projections 265 extending inwardly toward each other, as shown in Fig. 13. The member 266 is provided with a roller be engaged by one or the other of the cams- 265 for moving the operating member 266 and the connected positioning bar 256 in one direction laterally of the press. Movement of the member 266 in the opposite direction is efiected, and the engagement of the roller 266 with one of the cams 265 is maintained, by means of a coil spring 261 which is connected to the lower arm 266 of the operating member and to one of the pins 268 which project downwardly from the rod 23!. When the positioning plate 25! is located at the other end of the positioning bar 256, the coil spring 261 is reversed and connected to the other pin 266 and the operating member 266 is then actuated by the cam 265 which is shown as being with the roller 266 in Fig. 13. the position of the roller 266 may be adjusted to accommodate the actuation of the operating member 266 by either cam 265, the

269 of this roller is mounted in an adjustable plate 216 which is of triangular shape, the apex thereof being secured to the end of the operating member 266 by means of a screw 21! and the lower part thereof being provided with an elongated curved slot 216 which is engaged by a stud 212 entering a threaded hole in the operating member 266. This stud 212 may be employed to clamp the plate 216 either in the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in which the roller 266 is swung to a position where it is adapted to be actuated 266 adapted to by the right-hand cam 265, but it may be employed to clamp the plate 216 after it has been left, as viewed in Figs. 13 and 14, roller 266 is swung intoposition to be actuated by the left-hand cam 265. In this way, the continuously rotating shaft 226 is utilized for causing the projection 265 of one of the cams 265 to effect a periodic movement of the operating member 266 and the connected positioning bar 256 transversely of the press. The cams 265 are so positioned on the shaft 226 that this movement of the bar 256 and the corresponding movement of the paper sheet by the plate 25! occurs at theinstant when the paper sheet is positioned against the stops 33 at the edge of the table 30 and thus all of the paper sheets are positioned laterally of the press in the same manner before the stops 33 are elevated and the paper sheets are moved to the cylinder 34 by the operation of the vacuum drums 31.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the sheets of paper or other stock are moved in succession by the conveyor 2i onto the table 30 and that they slide over the table under the influence of the conveyor until arrested by the stops 33 which are then in the positions shown in Figs. 6 and 11. Immediately after each sheet 22 comes to rest against the stops 33, the roller 231 is depressed through the actuation of the levers 235, 240 by the cams 242. While a portion of the paper sheet is momentarily depressed within the groove 30 formed in 30, one of the cams 265 erates to move the member 260 transversely of the press and thereby actuate the bar 250 and plate 25| to move the sheet laterally to a predetermined point on the table. As soon as this has been accomplished, the stops 33 are elevated by the rocking of the shaft 99 which is effected by the cam I88 on the shaft I89. At this point in the operation of the cam I16, the shaft I11 assumes a position which permits a vacuum connection between the pipe Ill and the vacuum tube iii to be opened so that a partial vacuum is then created in the hollow shaft 95 and in the passages of each of the vacuum blocks 81. At the same time,

the pawl I35 drops into one of the notches I34 in the ratchet member I34 and causes a half revolution of the gear i3i and acorresponding complete revolution of the gear i311 and of the hollow shaft 95. The vacuum drums 3i turn through one complete revolution with the shaft 95 and during the early portion of this revolution, the suction openings 3| of each vacuum drum are positioned successively above those successive portions of the posite the associated vacuum passage 91. Successive portions of the paper sheet are thus gripped by each rotating drum 31, by the action of atmospheric pressure forcing the paper sheet against the parts where suction is applied to the opposite side of the sheet, so that the sheet is thus positively fed from the table 30 until its forward edge is positioned against the stops 35 on the cylinder 34, as shown particularly in Fig. 12. By this time, the last suction opening 3i in each vacuum drum will have reached a position opposite the associated vacuum passage 91 and, as the drums continue to rotate, the lower end of each vacuum passage 31' is closed by the unperforated portion of the drum and the valve plug I12, shown in Fig. 1, is then actuated by the came I16 to shut 0115 the connection 'of the source of suction with the vacuum tube I65. At this stage, the gripping fingers 38' which have been elevated by roller 54 with the uppermost stationary cam 55, shown in Fig. 5, are moved to gripping position by the spring 53, with the result that thepaper sheet is then gripped and withdrawn from the tableby the rotation of the cylinder. During the movement of the paper sheet into engagement with the stops 35 on the cylinder 34, the forward edge of the sheet is guided by the fingers 31 which, at that stage of the operation, position shown in Fig. 4, but, as soon as the paper sheet has been gripped by the fingers 33, these guiding fingers 31 are elevated by the operation of the cam 2i2 so that as the paper sheet is being carried around the rotating cylinder 34, the guide the table upon the shaft 226.0p- I paper sheet which are opthe engagement of the I occupy the fingers 31 occupy the position shown in Fig. 6. The paper sheet is then carried around the cylinder 34 to receive a printed impression from the transfer cylinder 40, as heretofore explained, whereupon the paper sheet is taken off by the delivery cylinder 60 and carried to the stacking apparatus by the endless chain 64.

It will be apparent that the sheet transfer mechanism above described causes a positive and uniform movement of successive sheets from the paper supporting table to the paper carrying cylinder independently of any irregularities in the effective diameters of the feeding drums which may be caused by the accumulation of ink thereon from sheets passing through the press of ink accumulating on the drums are notrpressed onto the paper sheets and the regularity and uniformity of the feed is not disturbed. In prior devices in which the transfer of the paper sheets has been effected by friction rolls against which the paper sheets have been pressed by idler rolls, the ink which accumulates on the feed rolls is spread out by the pressure between the rolls, with the result that the sheets are smeared with ink as they are fed to the cylinder. As a result of this advantage, the present invention permits a more speedy operation of the press in color printing since it is possible to print the sheets with the second or succeeding colors of a series before the sheets have entirely dried printing operation is therefore greatly reduced.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by way of illustration and has been referred to as adapted for use in feeding paper sheets, it will be understood that it may be constructedv in various other embodiments and may be employed in efiecting the transfer of material without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a cylinder adapted to carry a sheet of paper, paper positioning means having a normally stationary position, means for delivering a sheet of paper to said stationary positioning positively gripping said sheet for feeding said sheet to said cylinder after it has been positioned.

2. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a cylinder adapted to carry a sheet of paper, paper positioning means having 8. normally stationary position, means for delivering a sheet of paper to said stationary positioning means, and rotary vacuum feeding means for transferring said sheet to said cylinder after it has been positioned.

3. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a cylinder adapted to carry a sheet of paper, paper positioning means having a normally stationary position, means for delivering a sheet of paper to said positioning means, means for retracting said positioning means, and a rotary vacuum device for engaging said sheet and moving it'to said cylinder.

4. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a paper carrying cylinder having stops, means for delivering a paper sheet, positioning members adapted to engage the forward edge of said sheet, means for removing said membersfrom engagement with said sheet, and

vacuum means for moving said sheet into engagement with said stops.

5. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of means for delivering a paper sheet a rotatable cylinder having stops, means for rotating said cylinder, and movable vacuum feeding means adapted to grip said sheet and move it into engagement with said stops, said feeding means having a speed greater than the speed of said stops.

6. The combination in mechanism described, of vacuum feeding means, support mounted in stationary said feeding means for holding a paper sheet adjacent said feeding means, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, normally stationary means against which said sheet is positioned by said delivering means, a cylinder, and means for actuating said vacuum feeding means relatively to said support to move said sheet from said support to said cylinder.

'7. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, positioning means located normally in a stationary position in the path of travel of said sheet for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, a cylinder, means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet, and rotary vacuum means positioned above said support and said sheet for moving said sheet from said support to said cylinder.

8. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, positioning means located in the path of travel of said sheet for enof the class a separate gaging the forward edgeof said sheet, a cylinder,

means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet, vacuummeans for moving said sheet from said support to said cylinder, and stops on said cylinder for engaging the forward edge of said sheet.

9. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, positioning means located in the path of travel of said sheet for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, a cylinder, means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet, vacuum means for moving said sheet from said support to said cylinder, stops on said cylinder forward edge of said sheet, and gripping means for holding said sheet after it has engaged said stops.

10. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, positioning means located in the path of travel of said sheet for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, a cylinder, means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet, vacuum means for moving said sheet from said support to said cylinder, stops on said cylinder for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, and guide members for directing the forward edge of said sheet into engagement with said stops.

11. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of "a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, positioning means located in the path of travel of said sheet for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, a cylinder, means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet, vacuum means for moving said sheet from saidsupport to said cylinder, stops on said cylinder for engaging the position beneath for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, guide. members for directing the forward edge of said sheet into engagement with said stops, gripping means carried by said cylinder for holding said sheet, and means for withdrawing said guide members after said sheet has been engaged by said gripping means.

12. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets successively to said support, a stop adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, means for withdrawing said stop from the path of travel of said sheets after a sheet has been positioned thereby, and a rotatable vacuum device actuated when said stop is withdrawn for moving said sheets successively from said support.

13. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets successivei to said support, a stop adapted to engage the ion ard edge of each sheet on said support, means i or withdrawing said stop from the path of traiel of said sheets after a sheet has been positio ed thereby, a rotatable vacuum device having a part adapted to cause said sheets to adhere thereto, and means for periodically rotating said vacuum device for moving said sheets from said suppcwt at the times when said stop is withdrawn. l

14. The com ination in mechanism of the class described, of as pport, means for delivering paper sheets successively to said support, a stop adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, meanslpfor withdrawing said stop from the path oftra el of said sheets after a sheet has been positioned thereby, a series of spaced rotatable vacuum devices having their peripheral portions movable adjacent to sheets positioned on said support and means for rotating said vacuum devices periodically in timed relation with the withdrawal of said stop for moving said sheets successively from said support.

15. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a stationary support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, and means comprising a rotatable vacuum drum for moving said sheet from said support.

16. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, and means comprising a plurality of rotatable vacuum drums spaced apart transversely of said support for moving said sheet therefrom.

17. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, means for delivering a sheet to said support, a rotatable drum mounted above said support with its periphery movable adjacent said sheet, said drum having a series of perforations in its peripheral portion, a source of suction, and means for establishing a connection between said source of suction and each of said perforations in succession during the rotation of said drum.

18. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft positioned above said support, a drum rotatable with said shaft with its periphery movable adjacent said sheet, said drum having a series of perforations in its peripheral portion, a suction block positioned within said drum and having a passage communicating with the interior of said hollow shaft and adapted to register with said perforations successively, means for rotating said shaft, and means for connecting said shaft with a source of suction.

19. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet. a hollow shaft positioned above said support, a series of drums mounted on and spaced apart along said shaft, said drums each having a perforatedperipheral portion movable adjacent to said sheet, a series of suction blocks carried by said shaft, each of said suction blocks being positioned adjacent one of said drums and having a vacuum passage communicating with the interior of said shaft and adapted to register successively with the perforations in the adjacent drum, and means for effecting periodic complete rotations of said shaft.

20. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft positioned above said support, a series of drums mounted on and spaced apart along said shaft, said drums each having a perforated peripheral portion movable adjacent to said sheet, a series of suction blocks carried by said shaft, each of said suction blocks being positioned adjacent one of said drums and having a vacuum passage communicating with the interior of said shaft and adapted to register successively with the perforations in the adjacent drum, a stop for engaging the forward edge of a papersheet to position it on said support, means for withdrawing said stop after a. sheet has been positioned thereby, and means for rotating said shaft each time said stop is withdrawn.

21. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft positioned above said support, a series of drums mounted on and spaced apart along said shaft, said drums each having a perforated peripheral portion movable adjacent to said sheet, a series of suction blocks carried by said shaft, each of said suction blocks being positioned adjacent one of said drums and having a vacuum passage communicating with the interior of said shaft and adapted to register successively with the perforations in the adjacent drum, means for effecting periodic complete rotations of said shaft, and means for rendering one of said drums inoperative for moving said paper sheet.

22. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft positioned above said support, a series of drums mounted on and spaced apart along said shaft, said drums each having a perforated peripheral portion movable adjacent to said sheet, a series of suction blocks carried by said shaft, each of said suction blocks being positioned adjacent one of said drums and having a vacuum passage communicating with the interior of said shaft and adapted to register successively with the perforations in the adjacent drum, means for effecting periodic complete rotations of said shaft, and valve mechanism associated with certain of said suction blocks for closing the suction passages therein.

23. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft mounted above said support, a rotatable vacuum drum carried by said shaft and comprising a radial disk having an annular transverse flange, said flange being provided with a series of perforations extending throughout a portion of its periphery, a suction block carried by said shaft and having a passage communicating with the interior of said shaft and extending downwardly with its mouth positioned above said sheet, the mouth of said passage being adapted to register with said perforations in succession during the rotation of said drum, means for connecting said shaft with a source of suction, and means for rotating said shaft.

24. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support for a paper sheet, a hollow shaft mounted abovesaid support, a rotatable vacuum drum carried by said shaft and comprising a radial disk having an annular transverse fiange, said flange being provided with a series of perforations extending throughout a portion of its periphery, a suction block carried by said shaft and having a passage communicatingwith the interior of said shaft and extending downwardly with its mouth positioned above said sheet, the mouth of said passage being adapted to register with said perforations in succession during the rotation of said drum, means for connecting said shaft with a source of suction, and, means for rotating said shaft, said support having perforations therein opposite the mouth of said passage.

25. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets successively to said support, a stop adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, means for withdrawing said stop from the path of travel of said sheets after a sheet has been positioned thereby, a rotatable vacuum device actuated when saidstop is withdrawn for moving said sheets successively from said support, and means for automatically connecting said vacuum device with a source of suction when its rotation begins.

26. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering sheets successively to said support, a rotatable vacuum device for moving said sheets successively from said support, means for rotating said device, and means comprising a brake for bringing said device to rest at the end of each rotation.

27. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets to said support, a rotatable vacuum device for moving said sheets successively from said support, a source of suction, means for intermittently rotating said vacuum device, and means actuated during each rotation of said device for connecting said device with said source of suction.

28. The combination in mechanism of the class described, 01' r a support, means for delivering sheets successively to said support, a vacuum device for moving said sheets successively from said support, an actuating member having a reciprocating motion, and means actuated upon each forward motion of each actuating member for imparting a complete rotation to said vacuum device.

.29. The combination in mechanism of the class described, 01 a support, means for delivering sheets successively to said support, a vacuum device for moving, said sheets successively from said support, an actuating member having a reciprocating motion, means actuated upon each forward motion of each actuating member for imparting a complete rotation to said vacuum device, and a brake associated with said vacuum device for bringing it to rest at the end of each rotation thereof.

30. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering sheets successively to said support, a vacuum device for moving said sheets successively from said support, an actuating member having a reciprocating motion, means actuated uponfeach forward motion of each actuating member for imparting a complete rotation to said vacuum device, and means actuated in unison with the rotation of said device for connecting said device with a source of suction.

31. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a perforated support, a rotary vacuumdevice having a series of perforations adapted to engage successively a sheet positioned in direct contact with said support, a source of suction, and means adapted to establish a connection between said source of suction and said perforations in succession during the rotation of said device.

32. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support having a plurality of small holes therein, a rotary vacuum device located above said support having a series of perforations adapted to engage successively a sheet positioned on said support in direct contact therewith, a source of suction, and means adapted to establish a connection between said source of suction and said perforations in succession during the rotation of said device.

33. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a sheet support, a rotary vacuum drum adapted to deliver a sheet from said support, said drum having a series of perforations extending through a portion of its periphery for engagements successively with a sheet positioned on said support, an actuating member having a reciprocating motion, means operated by said actuating member for imparting intermittent rotations to said drum with a period of rest at the end of each rotation, means for driving said actuating member, and means associated with said driving means for varying the positions of said perforations in said drum when said drum is at rest.

34. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets successively to said support, a stop adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, means for withdrawing said stop from the path of travel of said sheets after said sheet has been positioned thereby, a rotatable cylinder having a stop thereon, and a rotatable vacuum device actuated when said first named stop is withdrawn for moving said sheets successively from said support and positioning them successively against said stop on said cylinder.

35. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a support, means for delivering paper sheets successively to said support, a stop adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, means for withdrawing said step from the path of travel of said sheets after said sheet has been positioned thereby, a rotatable cylinder having a stop thereon, a rotatable vacuum device actuated when said first named stop is withdrawn for moving said sheets successively from said support and positioning them successively against said stop on said cylinder, means for rotating said cylinder, and means for actuating said vacuum device to give each sheet a speed of travel greater than the speed of said stop on said cylinder.

36. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a support, means for moving said sheets in succession onto said support, a rotatable cylinder having stops at its periphery, movable grippers mounted on said cylinder, a vacuum feeding device for engaging each sheet on said support and positively. moving it against said stops on said cylinder, and means for actuating said grippers to engage each sheet and hold it on said cylinder before said sheet is released by said vacuum feeding device.

37. Th'e.combination in described, of a frame, a hollow shaft journaled in said frame, a series of drums mounted on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, means for connecting the interior of said shaft with a source of suction, a second shaft mounted on said first named shaft, and a series of suction blocks each rotatably engaged by both of said shafts and each located adjacent one of said drums, each of said suction blocks having a passage communieating with the interior of said shaft, each of said drums having a series of peripheral openings adapted to register with said passage in the adjacent suction block, said shaft having a series of opening each adapted to communicate with one of said passages in a certain angular position of said shaft.

38. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a frame, a hollow shaft journaled in said frame, a series of drums mounted on said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, means for connecting the interior of said shaft with a source of suction, a second shaft mounted on said first named shaft, a series of suction blocks each rotatably engaged by both of said shafts and each located adjacent one of said drums, each of said suction blocks having a passage communicating with the interior of said shaft, each of said drums having, a series of peripheral openings adapted to register with said passage in the adjacent suction block, said shaft having a series of openings each adapted to communicate with one of said passages in a certain angular position of said shaft, a paper support mounted adjacent said drums, means for moving paper sheets onto said support, a -series of paper stops mounted on said second named shaft and having parts adapted to engage the forward edge of each sheet on said support, and means for actuating said second named shaft to remove said stops from the path of travel of said sheets.

39. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a sheet support, a rotatable feeding device mounted adjacent said support, a continuously rotating driving shaft, a cam mounted on said shaft, an operating member having a reciprocating motion imparted thereto by said cam, an actuating member having a reciprocating angular motion imparted thereto by said operating member, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotation opposite said actuating member, a pawl carried by said actuating member and adapted to engage successive teeth of said ratchet wheel upon successive reciprocating movements thereof, and means actuated by said ratchet wheel for imparting successive complete rotations to said rotary feeding device.

40. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a sheet support, a rotatable feeding device mounted adjacent said support, a continuously rotating driving shaft, a cam mounted on said shaft, an operating member having a reciprocating motion imparted thereto by said cam, an actuating member having a reciprocating angular motion imparted thereto by said operating member, a ratchet wheel mounted for rotation opposite said actuating member, a pawl carried by said actuating member and adapted to engage successive teeth of said ratchet wheel upon successive reciprocating movements thereof, means actuated by said ratchet wheel for imparting successive complete rotations to said rotary apparatus of the class feeding device, and means for adjusting the angular position of said cam on said driving shaft.

41. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a plate for supporting a single paper sheet, a paper feeding device movable above said plate for feeding paper sheets successively therefrom, and means for adjusting said plate toward and from said.feeding device.

42. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a plate for supporting a single paper sheet, a rotatable vacuum device mounted above said plate and adapted to pick up a single paper sheet positioned thereon, and means for adjusting the spaced relation of said vacuum device and said plate.

43. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a plate for supporting a paper sheet, a rotatable vacuum device mounted above said plate and adapted to pick up a paper sheet positioned thereon, and a rotatable member mounted beneath said plate and having an eccentric portion adapted to effect movement of said plate with respect to said vacuum device.

44. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a plate for supporting a paper sheet, a rotatable vacuum device mounted above said plate and adapted to pick up a paper sheet positioned thereon, a rotatable member mounted beneath said plate and having an eccentric portion adapted to cifect movement of said plate with respect to said vacuum device, and graduated means for indicating the spaced relation of said vacuum device and said plate.

45. The combination in apparatus of the class described, of a sheet supporting table, means for moving a sheet on said table, a positioning member movable transversely of said table, a positioning plate reversible on said positioning member to engage either lateral edge of said sheet, an actuating member connected to said positioning member, a rotatable shaft, a pair of cams mounted on said shaft on opposite sides of said actuating member, and an adjustable roller carried by said actuating member for engaging and permitting the operation of said actuating memher by either of said cams.

46. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a cylinder adapted to carry a sheet of paper, paper positioning means mounted in a stationary position in advance of said cylinder, means for delivering single sheets 01' paper successively to said positioning means, and a rotary vacuum device for engaging each sheet and moving it to said cylinder after it has been-positioned.

47. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a cylinder adapted to carry a sheet of paper, paper positioning means mounted in a stationary position in advance of said cylinder, means for delivering single sheets of paper successively to said positioning means, means for moving said positioning means out of the path of movement of the positioned sheet, and rotary vacuum means operative thereafter for moving the positioned sheet to said cylinder.

48. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of vacuum feeding means, a stationary support for holding a paper sheet adjacent said feeding means, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, a cylinder, and means for actuating said vacuum feeding means to move said sheet entirely thereby from said support to said cylinder.

49. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a stationary paper support, means for delivering a paper sheet to said support, a cylinder, vacuum means located on the side of said sheet opposite said support for moving said sheet from said support to said cylinder, positioning means located in the path of travel of said sheet and mounted independently of said vacuum means for engaging the forward edge of said sheet, and means for removing said positioning means from the path of travel of said sheet to permit movement of said sheet by said vacuum means to said cylinder.

50. The combination in mechanism of the class decribed, of a stationary support adapted to support a single sheet of paper, means for delivering sheets of paper in succession to said supp rt, a cylinder, and vacuum feeding means movable with respect to and in proximity to said support for feeding a sheet therefrom to said cylinder, said support and said vacuum feeding means being located on opposite sides of the sheet.

51. The combination in mechanism of the class described, of a stationary support adapted to Support a single sheet of paper, means for delivering sheets of paper in succession to said support, a cylinder, vacuum feeding means movable in proximity to said support for feeding a sheet therefrom to said cylinder, and stops carried by said cylinder for positioning the forward edge of each sheet on said cylinder.

ALEXANDER T. KOPPE. 

